I know many of you are very excited for the arrival of Election Day and the end of all of the ads and postings about who to vote for. However, despite election overload, I would like to share a few thoughts about how Election Day looks from a different perspective.

As we prepare to go to the polls on Tuesday to vote, I hope you do it with a sense of pride. I hope you are able to see past the potentially long lines to truly appreciate all the hard work that goes into facilitating an election.

In a community like ours, there are thousands of people who make sure you can cast your vote. In this column, I would like to take time to thank them all. I wish I could name each and every individual, but it is not possible within the constraints of this column. However, I am going to try to let you know the groups of people who make it possible for you to vote.

First and foremost are the men and women in uniform who have fought, and will continue to fight, for us to have our basic freedoms. They are the ones we should honor by going to vote on Tuesday.

On the procedural side of the election process are more than 50 workers in the Clerk and Voter Registration offices who are at the core of the entire event, but they cannot do it alone.

More than 30 workers handle the early voting and absentee voting process. They will see more than 25,000 walk-in and early voters before the Monday deadline. The absentee board began their work on September 17th when they first started mailing ballots out to our Military voters, folks overseas, college students and those snowbirds who have headed off for the winter. They have done a great job to keep the process moving.

In addition, we have six people working on a traveling board going to nursing homes, hospitals and private homes to make voting accessible to those who otherwise are confined to their location.

Many of us do not think about the complex voting machines we use at our precincts. The county has five great guys who handle all of the setup, repair and maintenance of equipment on more than 500 MicroVote voting machines. Once the machines are set up, they begin the process of delivering the machines to more than 130 polling location all over the county. The ISS department has helped to make sure the computers, printers and copiers are all working and maintained.

On Election Day in Hamilton County, there are more than 1,000 poll workers in our 203 precincts when all the precinct boards are filled. They are the ones getting up at 4 am to make sure your polling place is open. They can really be credited for making sure the whole election process runs smoothly. They put in around a 14 hour day in order for you to have your ballot cast and your voice heard. If you haven’t served on a precinct election board, you should give it a try. The Republican and Democrat Chairman are the ones who make the assignments and are always looking for Hamilton County registered voters to volunteer.

When it comes to tallying the vote on Election Day, we have to have 44 ballot counters who will be working to process more than 9,000 absentee ballots. The sheriff’s department plays a big role for the Election Board as they serve as couriers going all over the county taking absentee/early voting certifications to precincts.

The Building and Grounds folks play an important role by organizing the flow of voters in and out of the voting areas and handling the placement of equipment and signage. A new set up was developed this year to make it easier for the voters. I want to extend a big thank you to the Commissioners and Council for giving the workers the tools they need to make the process run smoothly.

I know whenever you start thanking folks, you run a great risk of missing someone. I hope I have not forgotten anyone, but if I have I apologize.

As you can see, it takes a very large dedicated team to make it possible for you to have the opportunity to cast your vote. When you vote, be sure to thank those who are assisting you. They have given up their time to make sure you can exercise your civic duty.

A sincere thank you to all of you for your service! You are a great group of people who have chosen to serve your community. Each and every one of you should be proud of the role you have taken to make the election process successful in Hamilton County!

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